Advent Midweek Worship and Words from the Bishop

Tonight is the last Wednesday of Advent!

We'll gather for soup supper at 6pm. At 7pm we'll move into the sanctuary for Holden Evening Prayer, a lovely sung vespers service. There will be time for quiet reflection and prayer - just what so many of us need in the midst of this busy season of preparation!

 

New Blog from PLTS (Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary)

An invitation from PLTS:

 

PLTS  - Out of the Fog, Into God's World blog

  

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California has launched a blog that engages theological perspectives with pressing, urgent public issues of our day. This blog involve a wide range of contributors from the PLTS faculty, other faculties at California Lutheran University, students and alums, as well as others committed to the purpose of this blog. A link to our blog can be found here: http://outofthefogplts.wordpress.com/ 

In faith communities and the wider society, there increasingly is moral outrage about what is occurring, such as entrenched violence and inequalities. However, critical biblical and theological perspectives are seldom brought to bear on what is at stake. Ordinary people of faith are either left "in the fog" about how their faith engages such, or certain "religious" voices are featured in the media that tend to be judgmental or polarizing. The public voice of, especially Lutherans, tends to remain muted or confined within churches, as it was not for someone like Martin Luther. Our audience is those preparing sermons or discussions that better equip people to think and act on timely issues in the news in light of their faith.  The hope is that this might contribute to reflective deliberation amid differences rather than furthering the polarization that is all too pervasive in our common life.
Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments. Thanks!

Blessed Advent

Blessed Advent! And Happy New Year!
Today is the first Wednesday in Advent (the 4th day of Advent this year, which started this past Sunday), and here at CtK folks will gather for a simple supper of soup and bread, and then for a service of evening prayer. Advent marks the beginning of a new year in the church calendar, and begins four Sundays before Christmas. During this season, we are invited to prepare our hearts and homes not only for the celebration of Jesus' birth, but also for all the ways Christ comes to us, and for the day he comes again in glory. There's rather a lot going on - and that's before we factor in parties, Christmas cards, shopping, etc.
So, come and take some time to celebrate the season and God's work in and through you this Advent. Take some time to ponder what (or who) it is you're waiting for; what you hope and long for; what is yearning to be born in your life.
On Wednesday evenings this year, we'll think about the four tenets of the Advent Conspiracy: Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All. Since we only have 3 Wednesday services of Holden Evening Prayer, the second and third themes will be combined.
The service is beautiful - piano, flute, guitar, voice, candlelight, quiet.
Come.